Agenda - Council - 02/08/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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It should also be noted that the request was generated by'the desire to reduce speeding. The MMUTCD specifically advises a~gainst the placement of stop signs for the purpose on controlling speeding. Experience has.shown that on low.volume roadways there is a high percentage of noncompliance with stop signs in Situations where local drivers know there is a small probability of encountering another vehicle within the intersection. In addition, studies have shown that where stop signs are used for the Purpose .of speed control speeds decrease within a couple of hundred feet of the intersection, but the speeds at midblock tend to increase. Presumably this ef£e~t is caused by motprists wanting to make up the time they lost stopPing or slowing down for the stop. [n reviewing this site, staff has become aware of what will eventually become a violation that portion of the City Code commonly referred to as the vision site triangle. The -spruce trees located on tile property at 6070 i44th Lane will obstruct the clear vision. This section of City COde states:i"Landscaping with the vision clearance triangle which is in existence prior to the date of adoption of this ordinance shall be viewed on a case by case basis to determine whether these landscaping elements are in compliance with this ordinance." At tl~is time it may be relatively easy to relocate these trees to a more suitable location on the property. The Committee may wish to consider extending the property owner some assistance in this regard, Finally, in coming to a decision on this request the Committee may wish to review the attached con'espondence fi-Om the law firm of Kennedy and Graven relative to the quest/on of l/ability placement of stoP signs which may not confonn to MMUTCD guidance standards. [t would appear that the response from Mr. Charles LeFevere suggests that there is little Or no consistency in how the courts have viewed the i~rnnunity municipalities in Such instances. Recommendations: Staff recommends that the request for the placement of an all way stop at this intersection be denied based on the findings that traffic volumes are substantially below the guidelines necessary for the placement of such traffic control signage, and because traffic calming measures have been previously implemented fo~: this neighborhood. Staff further recommends that the property owner at 6070 144th Lane be notified that the ex.isting spruce trees within the sight vision triangle may need to be removed, or trirmned of their lower branches to a distance of nine feet above the curb. It is suggested that the Committee recotm~aend offering the property owners the assistance of the Public Works Department in relocating these trees to a more suitable location on their property. Reviewed By: Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Assistant Public Wortcs DirectoffPrincipal Engineer Police Chief Street Maintenance Supervisor PW: 01/18/05